Sir – Rail fares have risen again this month which in total means a 27 per cent increase since the coalition Government came into power in 2010. This makes the UK’s privatised system one of the most expensive in the EU.
About £1.2bn is lost each year as a result of privatisation — this is money that should be reinvested in improving poor services and reducing fares. According to polls, two-thirds of the public support bringing the railways back into public ownership. If politicians made this happen, it would help to restore some faith in politics as people would feel like they are being listened to.
However, the recent decision to re-privatise East Coast Mainline, a great service which returned £1bn to the taxpayer, unfortunately shows that none of the traditional main three parties are working for you.
If you want to see the railways brought back under public ownership once again, then it’s the Green Party who is on your side. In fact, Caroline Lucas MP is already working on it, as her Railways Bill reaches the second reading in the House of Commons this week.
Keith Taylor, Green MEP for South East England
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